newbie here. need wdw help pls!

[capcrn2009]

This has probably been posted to death, but I am so confused right now! Any help would be appreciated. Quick background..... I am trying to finance a trip for my ds, dil dgd and dil's 2 boys. We are in CT. I have done some research, and these are my top options
1. fly in and stay at wdw resort- seems very $$$$, also seems i would need to rent 2 rooms(?) or a suite
2. fly in and stay @ the fort- i know they rent tents there and cots but what about everything else such as sheets pillow blankets etc..... there is no way this stuff would fit onto a plane w/o paying big $$$$.... did think about mailing this stuff down ahead of time and then mailing back. anyone done this?
3. rent a nice van and have them drive down and stay @ the fort. this way they could bring everything they needed with them, and have the added bonus of going off wdw property to eat, explore etc, yet having the benefit of the early hr and wdw trans...... this plan makes the most sense but i am not sure ds wants to drive down/back

Also, when is the best (hint cheapest) time to go down? I have looked and it seems as tho anytime in may or sept oct..... thoughts? tia for any help.

 

[aceys_h0ney]

This has probably been posted to death, but I am so confused right now! Any help would be appreciated. Quick background..... I am trying to finance a trip for my ds, dil dgd and dil's 2 boys. We are in CT. I have done some research, and these are my top options
1. fly in and stay at wdw resort- seems very $$$$, also seems i would need to rent 2 rooms(?) or a suite

You could get two rooms at a value resort, more on my opinion on this at your last question, the suites at the All Stars resort are very nice and large
2. fly in and stay @ the fort- i know they rent tents there and cots but what about everything else such as sheets pillow blankets etc..... there is no way this stuff would fit onto a plane w/o paying big $$$$.... did think about mailing this stuff down ahead of time and then mailing back. anyone done this?
I don't know if linens are included. You could mail packages ahead of your arrival. We have done this for other things.
3. rent a nice van and have them drive down and stay @ the fort. this way they could bring everything they needed with them, and have the added bonus of going off wdw property to eat, explore etc, yet having the benefit of the early hr and wdw trans...... this plan makes the most sense but i am not sure ds wants to drive down/back

Also, when is the best (hint cheapest) time to go down? I have looked and it seems as tho anytime in may or sept oct..... thoughts? tia for any help.

September and October typically offer free dining periods. With larger groups this can be a big money saver. I would really crunch numbers when considering staying at a suite or two rooms in a resort for free dining because it's not offered at Fort Wilderness. I can't speak for earlier in the year but pretty much anytime school is in session I believe attendance is lower then any time there is any sort of school break. I've heard great things about May. I would honestly read up on discounts and see what time of year is more affordable for you and make your resort decision from there.

My answers are in red

 

[bama_ed]

This has probably been posted to death, but I am so confused right now! Any help would be appreciated. Quick background..... I am trying to finance a trip for my ds, dil dgd and dil's 2 boys. We are in CT. I have done some research, and these are my top options
1. fly in and stay at wdw resort- seems very $$$$, also seems i would need to rent 2 rooms(?) or a suite
2. fly in and stay @ the fort- i know they rent tents there and cots but what about everything else such as sheets pillow blankets etc..... there is no way this stuff would fit onto a plane w/o paying big $$$$.... did think about mailing this stuff down ahead of time and then mailing back. anyone done this?
3. rent a nice van and have them drive down and stay @ the fort. this way they could bring everything they needed with them, and have the added bonus of going off wdw property to eat, explore etc, yet having the benefit of the early hr and wdw trans...... this plan makes the most sense but i am not sure ds wants to drive down/back

Also, when is the best (hint cheapest) time to go down? I have looked and it seems as tho anytime in may or sept oct..... thoughts? tia for any help.

Cheapest time is early Jan to mid Feb (avoiding MLK and President's Day holidays) and late spring (after Easter to early June). Fall times are also affordable up until close to Halloween.

The way I read it you have two adults and three kids coming. A Value suite is expensive (depending on time of year). In late September you can get a Full Campsite for $64 rack rate (might get a discount with AAA) and rent a trailer/camper from http://www.campatthefort.com for $135/night for a total of $199 per night. The owner, Tina, is also a travel agent and can do all that a TA can do for you. The cost of a Value suite is $199 (weekday Value 2 season) so same cost. The good thing about a camper is it comes with a kitchen to buy groceries and cook meals to save money. You can drive or fly in. But the Fort is very relaxing. Tina's rental service, if you read up on it, provides all the linens, towels, etc. plus sets up the trailer for you and takes it down at the end of the trip. You just show up.

The Fort has lots of activities for kids daily plus the movie/campfire singalong nightly.

This is just an option for you to consider. And welcome to the DIS.

Bama ED

 

[North of Mouse]

Does FW rent tents and cots? Did not know this

 

[cruising spud]

Before I'd answer, I would like to ask-how old are the boys and how long does the family plan to stay?

 

[skyp4WDW]

Have you considered a Cabin at Ft Wilderness? They are a bit pricey but very nice; and great for families because you get all the benefits of staying at Ft Wilderness without any of the planning headaches. The cabins sleep 6, plus tots, and you can request a port-a-crib if you need one. They come fully equipped including a full sized kitchen. (Having the kitchen can save alot of money when you bring kids to WDW).
If you are Military (or someone else in your family), you can get a 40% discount on a cabin; otherwise the next best discount is probably the AAA discount in "Value Season" (late Summer), 20%.

If you decide to fly and Tent camp, try to book Southwest Airlines. They allow 2 free checked bags per person (up to 50 pounds), which means you can bring the tent, and equipment at no additional charge.
The Disney Express will pick your family up at the airport and bring them to the Fort; and the camping equipment too. (Free) A Tent Site in Value Season with the AAA discount is $40 per night. This is by far the least expensive option on Disney property. Have a great trip!

 

[2goofycampers]

from.... http://allears.net/acc/faq_fw.htm

Can you rent camping gear at FW?
Yes. The official policy for Fort Wilderness is that rental tents and cots are only available to groups of 20 or more using Creekside Meadow, the primitive camping area. However, official policy and practice seem to differ. Individuals have rented equipment before and I've called FW myself and been told they do rent equipment to individuals if they have it available and a group hasn't already made arrangements to rent it. Tents are $30 per night, cots are $4 per night, so it's not cheap.

Port Orleans Riverside have rooms that will sleep 5, that might be an option also. Also if a child is under 3 they are not counted, so they would be a party of 4.

 

[capcrn2009]

Ty all. I have called down there and yes they do rent tents,etc. Dgd is 7, one boy is 10, the other is 12. This is their first rip down. I am trying to carry on a tradition as my mom brought both my boys down multiple times. How on earth do ppl afford this?

 

[nmb1dsnefan]

Just another money saver. If you sign up for Southwest reward card right now, they are giving away 50,000 points after your first purchase. (The puchase can be for $1.00) The 50,000 points earns you two free flights! So if you and you son both sign up you will get a total of 4 free flights. And as said in a pp you also get the no checked lugage discount through Southwest. That could make up the cost for a cabin or suite. Good luck and I hope this helps.

 

[serenitygr]

Just another money saver. If you sign up for Southwest reward card right now, they are giving away 50,000 points after your first purchase. (The puchase can be for $1.00) The 50,000 points earns you two free flights! So if you and you son both sign up you will get a total of 4 free flights. And as said in a pp you also get the no checked lugage discount through Southwest. That could make up the cost for a cabin or suite. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Could you post the link for this? I can't find it on their website- only for 25,000 points.

 

[nmb1dsnefan]

Sorry. Been super busy and couldnt get on the dis boards. I went right to the southwest website. The link is on the budget board. I know there are two diff southwest cards. One offers 23,000 points and the premier card offers 50,000 free points. Hope that helps

 

[sharadoc]

Looks like Tina at campatthefort.com also rents a tent camping package for around $45 a night. Includes a tent, mattresses, a screen house, cooler - lots of stuff, even rope lighting. Looks like the least expensive option.

We drive from PA and have no problems with it, but if you had to add a van rental plus sleeping overnight in the middle, it could net out to cost as much as flying.

 

[capcrn2009]

TY!